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Solar: It’s a “Big Dill” for Real Pickles Cooperative

October 26, 2022 Scott Soares, State Director, Southern New England, USDA Rural Development

As USDA Rural Development (RD) highlights National Cooperative Month, one worker owned co-op in Massachusetts stands out as a model for sustainability, collaboration, and local food system resiliency. The saying goes “it’s not easy being green.” But for Real Pickles in Greenfield, Massachusetts, the...

Rural

Agriculture in the Beehive State

November 01, 2019 John Hilton, Utah State Statistician, National Agricultural Statistics Service

According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, Utah had more than 18,400 farms encompassing more than 10.8 million acres. This is an increase of 2 percent in the number of farms and a decrease of 1 percent in total acres compared to the 2012 Census of Agriculture. Just under 80 percent of Utah’s...

Research and Science

Using Energy from the Sun to Dry Pomace

September 11, 2018 Sandra Avant, Public Affairs Specialist, Agricultural Research Service

Pomace, the heavy puree left over after fruits and vegetables are juiced and processed, is used mostly as a feed additive for livestock. The rest of the wet puree is discarded in landfills.

Energy Research and Science

Traveling to Another State for the Great American Eclipse? USDA has a Reminder for You!

August 14, 2017 Tevon Blair, USDA APHIS, Writer-Editor Intern

August 21 marks the date for the Great American Eclipse of 2017, with people from around the country planning to travel to get the best views. Before you take to the road to reach your solar eclipse festival, make a plan to buy or gather firewood near your destination. Moving firewood presents a...

Forestry

REAPing America's Clean Energy Future

October 25, 2016 Sam Rikkers, Administrator for Rural Business and Cooperative Service

USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program, commonly referred to as ‘REAP’, provides financial resources for rural agricultural producers and small businesses to help them improve their bottom line. REAP provides loan guarantees and small grants to support these producers and owners...

Energy Rural

Small Loan Makes Big Difference for Family in Remote Area of Navajo Nation

June 19, 2014 Arizona Rural Development State Director Alan Stephens

Some mornings Nona Schuler would make the teeth-jarring drive along a washboard dirt road from her home on the Navajo Nation to her job in town only to discover when she got there that her earrings didn’t match. Without electricity and lighting, it was often difficult for her to see what she was...

Energy Rural

U.S. Forest Service Recognized for Energy Conservation Efforts

January 10, 2014 Deidra L. McGee, Office of Communication, U.S. Forest Service

The Forest Service’s Technology and Development Center recently received the White House’s 2013 GreenGov Presidential Award and the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2013 Federal Energy and Water Management Award for its net zero energy facility project in San Dimas, Calif. A facility earns a net zero...

Conservation Energy Forestry

NIFA Grant Brings Power of the Sun to Remote Arizona Community

November 26, 2013 Jill Lee, National Institute of Food and Agriculture

This post is part of the Science Tuesday feature series on the USDA blog. Check back each week as we showcase stories and news from USDA's rich science and research portfolio. A man in Arizona threw away an extension cord – and that’s a big deal for some folks who live about 100 miles west of Tucson...

Energy Research and Science

USDA Rural Development Energy Funds Help a Puerto Rican Paint Manufacturer run on 100 percent Solar Power

September 25, 2012 Miguel A. Ramírez, USDA Public Affairs Coordinator

On September 13, Master Paints & Chemical Corporation located in the Municipality of Guayanila, Puerto Rico realized their goal when they became independent of the use of fossil fuel sources energy. Master Paint & Chemical Corp is a local rural paint manufacturer that employs 260 people. This...

Energy Rural
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